Ebène, 12 May, 2017: The
National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC) has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of Mauritian
Manufacturers (AMM) under which the NPCC will help local manufacturers abide by
the highest manufacturing norms while assisting them at the same time in uplifting
their operations through the NPCC’s Enterprise Transformation Programme.

The Enterprise Transformation
Programme of the NPCC is an in-plant consultancy solution with practical
training to continuously improve the effectiveness in both the private and
public sectors. Under this initiative, the NPCC works with the company to
improve the performance of its staff and processes. The NPCC also assesses the
business needs and assists the company in aligning the staff and processes so
that the business can deliver results and secure significant gains.

The NPCC and the AMM worked on a partnership
convention during the period 2017/2018. Under the convention, businesses that do
not succeed in obtaining the “Made in Moris” label will be proposed by the AMM to
work with the NPCC. The NPCC will then help the enterprises in areas where improvements
are needed, after which they will be able to reapply for the “Made in Moris” label.

“The MOU
between the NPCC and the AMM aims ultimately at giving a new impetus to companies
manufacturing products under a local brand. While it is true that the MOU is
expected to give a facelift to locally manufactured products, the NPCC’s
intervention will along the same lines help the companies uplift their
operations to increase their productivity and competitiveness in the long run,”
says Mr. Dev Appalswamy, the Officer in Charge of the NPCC.

The AMM has launched the “Made in
Moris” initiative to promote locally manufactured products and to encourage
Mauritians to consume more products manufactured by local companies. Companies
which apply for the “Made in Moris” label undergo an audit by inspection,
verification, testing and certification company, SGS. Should the company not
able to achieve this conformity, it is then referred by the AMM to the NPCC for
an intervention.

Presently, a company obtains the “Made
in Moris” label if it scores a minimum of 60% of conformance. Otherwise the company
has to bring improvements in its operations and products and re-apply for the
label. In 2017, 60 enterprises in various economic sectors have obtained the “Made
in Moris” label.